Rumblings of a hiring pause or just a seasonal lull?

Hey all, been with Merck for a few years now and lately things just feel... different. Hiring seems to have significantly slowed down, or maybe even stopped altogether in some departments. I've reached out to a couple of contacts in different areas, and they're saying similar things - roles are being put on hold, approvals are taking forever, and the usual 'we're hiring!' energy is nowhere to be found. I know every company has its cycles, but this feels more than just a typical summer slowdown. There's no official word, of course, but the lack of transparency is making people nervous. Are others seeing this? Is it specific to certain divisions, or is it a company-wide vibe? Trying to gauge if this is a sign of bigger things to come or just a temporary belt-tightening. Curious to hear what others are experiencing on the ground.